US Airstrikes Target ISIS in Somalia

On February 1, 2025, the US conducted a series of airstrikes in Somalia, targeting Islamic State (ISIS) hideouts in remote cave systems. The strikes, ordered by President Donald Trump, represent a significant escalation in counterterrorism efforts in East Africa. The operation was carried out by US Africa Command (AFRICOM) in coordination with Somali government forces.

The airstrikes focused on a network of underground bunkers used by ISIS militants in Puntland, a semi-autonomous region in northern Somalia. According to initial reports, the strikes resulted in the deaths of at least 35 suspected militants, including senior ISIS commanders. The Pentagon confirmed that no civilians were harmed, citing precise intelligence and surveillance efforts before the attack. A senior US defense official described the operation as a preemptive measure to dismantle growing ISIS networks in Somalia, which have expanded their operations beyond the traditional stronghold of al-Shabaab, another terrorist group active in the country. Unlike al-Shabaab, which has ties to al-Qaeda, the ISIS affiliate in Somalia operates independently, receiving logistical and financial support from ISIS leadership in the Middle East and North Africa.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud welcomed the US intervention, stating that the airstrikes were a crucial step in eliminating the ISIS threat in Somalia. He emphasized that the Somali National Army, in partnership with international allies, would continue to target terrorist groups that threaten national stability. The Somali government has been engaged in a long-term counterterrorism campaign against both ISIS and al-Shabaab, with support from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia and US military advisors. Despite these efforts, the ISIS faction in Puntland has remained resilient, using the region's mountainous terrain to evade government forces.

The airstrikes come amid wider US efforts to reassert military influence in Africa, particularly after recent withdrawals and shifting security priorities under the Biden administration. President Trump has reinforced AFRICOM’s role in counterterrorism operations, reversing earlier decisions to scale back troop deployments. The attack also raises concerns over potential retaliatory actions by ISIS. The group has carried out suicide bombings and targeted assassinations in Somalia and neighboring Kenya. Security analysts warn that ISIS could escalate attacks on government officials, military installations, and Western interests in the region.

Humanitarian organizations have expressed concerns over civilian displacement and security risks following the strikes. Somalia has been grappling with internal conflicts, drought, and food shortages, and some fear that intensified military operations could further destabilize the region. Intelligence reports suggest that ISIS leaders in North Africa and the Middle East have been funneling weapons and funds to their Somali affiliate, viewing the country as a potential safe haven for regrouping after territorial losses in Syria and Iraq. The Somali government, in partnership with US and African Union forces, is expected to increase ground operations in Puntland and other regions where ISIS maintains a presence.

The latest US airstrikes underscore Washington’s renewed commitment to counterterrorism efforts in Africa, even as global attention remains focused on other geopolitical crises.

Image: United States Africa Command

Public domain.